Bracing system for boxcar loads



A 26, 1952 H. c. PIERCE 'BRACING SYSTEM FOR BOXCAR LOADS Filed Oct. 50, 1948 INVENTOR.

a. m E r 20 C w m H Patented Aug. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BRACING SYSTEM FOR BOXCAR LOADS Harold 0. Pierce, Pomona, Calif.

Application October 30, 1948, Serial No. 57,500

21 Claims.

This invention relates generally to improved car loads, and concerns more particularly brace elements engageable with the sides of a load for maintaining a plurality of load units in predetermined relationship. In certain respects, this application is a continuation-impart of my Patent No. 2,585,269, February 12, 1952, and Serial Number 763,692, filed July 25, 1947, on Box Load Braces.

Difficult loading problems are often met in attempting to provide sufficiently simple and yet effective spacing or brace members at the sides of a car load. For instance, it is sometimes desirable, as in the loading of melon boxes or similar units, to maintain the side units or boxes in predetermined spaced relation to the car wall or to adjacent units. It is a major object of the present invention to provide brace means especially adapted for effecting one or both of these purposes and of such simplified construction as to minimize bracing costs and labor of installation. This result is achieved by the use of a brace body disposed vertically at the side of the load in engagement with the load units, together with means interposed between the body and the adjacent car wall to space the body from the wall. Preferably, the brace body carries a pair of vertically spaced blocks for engaging the wall and maintaining the definedspaced relationship.

In shipping certain types of refrigerated products, such as melons, the produce-containing boxes are placed bottom down in individual stacks alined in parallel rows "extending transversely and longitudinally within the car. For most satisfactory refrigeration, the transverse rows in such a load are spaced longitudinally of the car while the individual stacks in each of the transverse rows are in direct engagement. The present invention is especially adapted for use as a spacing element at the sides of a load having such longitudinally spaced box rows. Specifically, I provide, for this purpose, a vertically extending spacer body received between the boxes in adjacent side stacks and preferably carried by a pair ofvertically spaced blocks engaging the car wall. Each of these blocks may also present an inwardly facing longitudinal shoulder to engage a pair of the spaced boxes and prevent relative movement between those boxes and the block.

Additionally, I contemplate the provision of a vertically extending brace body or section engageable with the outer surfaces of the boxes in an outside stack for maintaining'those boxes'in predetermined'spaced relation with respect'to the car wall. As when used to space adjacent outer stacks one from the other, the body is carried 2 by a pairof vertically spaced blocks interposed between the body and the car wall.

One of my further objects is to provide a member of the above character adapted for maintaining an outer stack in spaced relation to the wall and so constructed as to facilitate the moving of a side box into loaded position after the inwardly adjacent box has been inserted. This may be effected by employing a vertically extending brace presenting an inwardly facing surface disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the car and thus'adapted to act as a guide for directing the outer box into position.

In certain loading situations, I employ a pair of vertical brace sections carried by wall engaging means and adapted to carry out both of the previously defined functions, that is to space a box stack both from'another stack and from the car wall. In that case, one of the brace sections is received between adjacent outer stacks of boxes :to space those stacks longitudinally of the car, and the other section engages the outer surfaces of the boxes in one stack to maintain those boxes a desired distance fromthe wall, and to give cushioned support for the load by reason of the flexibility of the section. The latter section may be maintained in angular position by the wall engaging means or spacing blocks to present a guide surface for the purpose previously brought on It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel adapter block useable in conjunction with a brace constructed in accordance with the invention, and effective to increase the distance at which the vertical brace body is maintained from the car Wall. This is achieved by provision of blocks, similar in configuration to the block carried by the vertical brace member but of greater transverse dimension. Suitable interengaging means'may be carried by the adapter for maintaining it in a defined relation with respect to the brace body.

The above and further features and objects of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of the typical embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view showing in perspective, an end portion of the load within the car;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section on line 2-2 of Fig; 1; ,T'

' Fig. 3 is afragmentary view illustrating a bottom portion of one of the intermediate braces; V

and

Fig. 4 is a view showing the manner in which a specially formed adaptor block may be applied to one of the brace assemblies to increase "the 3 spacing of the side boxes in a load from the adjacent car walls, the view being a horizontal section through the brace assembly at a location above and looking downwardly toward the adaptor.

Fig. 1 illustrates a portion of a box load, generall indicated at Hi, contained within a refrigerated box car having the conventionally illustrated side walls rear wall |2 and floor l3. The load comprises a plurality of melon or like boxes l4 arranged in stacks S alined transversely and longitudinally within the car. To assure most efficient refrigeration, the individual stacks in each transverse row are maintained in direct engagement, as at |5, while the transverse rows are themselves spaced longitudinally of the car. This relationship is attained :by employing a plurality of spacing members l6 throughout the central portion of the load, a series of brace elements I! along the sides of the load, and elements Is at the four corners of the car. Each member l6 comprises a vertically extending spacer body IQ of rectangular section and having thin metallic projections 20 extending perpendicularly from the body at vertically spaced locations. Body l9 may carry a thin footing projection 4| receivable between engaged bottom boxes and of sufiicient extent to prevent the member from falling downwardly through slots I42 in the car floor. Each body l9 engages four adjacent stacks of boxes, projections 20 being receivable between the longitudinal walls of boxes in one stack to retain the body against lateral displacement.

Element IT is adapted to maintain the outer portions of boxes in adjacent side stacks in spaced relationship corresponding to that at which members l6 maintain the boxes within the load. Additionally, each element braces one of the side stacks a predetermined distance from the car wall. Element comprises a pair of vertically extending body sections or boards 2| and 22, preferably of square and rectangular cross-sections respectively, and two vertically spaced wall engaging blocks 23. Section 2| has a dimension 24 extending longitudinally of the car equal to the corresponding dimension of body IS, in order that adjacent transverse rows may be equally spaced throughout their extents. Section 22 engages the outer surfaces of the boxes in a stack S to maintain the boxes against .lateral or transverse displacement.

Vertically spaced blocks 23 are each of essentially trapezoidal horizontal section to present an outer wall engaging surface 25, aninwardly facing surface 25 parallel to surface 25 but of shorter longitudinal dimension, and a pair of angularly disposed inwardly facing surfaces 21 and '28. Section 2| is secured to blocks 25 centrally of surfaces 26, as by nails 29. However, surface 26 is of sufficient extent to project beyond section 2| at each side for bracing engagement with the spaced boxes. Section 22 is similarly secured to surfaces 21, as by nails 30, at a location such that the innermost corner 3| of section 22 (see Fig. 2) is in substantial alinement longitudinally of the car with surface 26 of the blocks to which the section is secured.

,Brace element I8 is substantially the same as element comprising two vertical body sections 35. and 3! and a pair of spaced blocks 32, except that each block 32 terminates at one end in a transverse face 33 alined with surface 34 of vertical section 35.

In assembling the described load, an'element |8 is placed in each corner of the car, surfaces 4 33 and 34 engaging an end wall, and outer surface 36 engaging a side wall. The central boxes in each transverse row R, suitably spaced by members 5, may be placed in position before the adjacent outer boxes of the same row, and the outer boxes may then be easily moved into position by guiding engagement with surface 31 which is angularly disposed to direct each box into correctly spaced position. After the first complete transverse row R. has been loaded, further members l6 are positioned vertically opposite and overlying the corners of adjacent boxes in that row, an element I! is placed at each side with its outer surface 25 engaging the car wall, and a second row is loaded in a manner similar to the first, that is with the central boxes being inserted before the adjacent side boxes. The inner angular surfaces 38 of bodies 22 guide each box in the two side stacks into correct spaced relation from the wall and into tight engagement with the corresponding box in the adjacent stack; The boxes are stacked in this manner from both ends until the load is completed by the insertion of a final row opposite the car door.

It is especially pointed out that the blocks 23 in this preferred form of the invention are of greater longitudinalthan transverse extent in order to assure their stabilit against unwanted turning during and after the insertion of boxes. It has been found particularly desirable to employ the illustrated design, in which block 23 extends a substantial distance beyond member 2| in each direction. Desirably, the extent of surface 25 in each direction, that is dimension 39, is greater than the transverse dimension 40 of the block. Thus, it is virtually impossible for a block to be displaced in a manner such that surface 25 would not be in full engagement with the car wall.

Fig. 4 represents an adapter block designed for use with the illustrated side bracing elements H for spacing the boxes a greater distance from the basic trapezoidal design as blocks 23 but presents a greater transverse dimension 45 than the corresponding dimension of block 23. A pair of nails 4| and 42 are driven into the adapter at right angles to its inner short base surface 43 and one of its angular surfaces 44 to permit interengagement of the adapter with member ll.

In use, the adaptersare superimposed on the blocks 23, and project outwardly beyond the blocks to in effect increase the transverse dimencar wall than the distancefor which the member I! itself is designed. Each adapter is of the same sion of the brace assembly. For positioning the adapters relative to the brace assembly, each adapter carries a pair of nails 4| and 42, which are adapted to interfit with the brace body sections 2| and 22 as the adapter is placed in position on a block 23. More particularly, nail 4| is driven into and projects perpendicularly from the inner short base surface 43 of the adapter, and nail 42 is driven into and projects perpendicularly from one of the angular surfaces 44 of the adapter. As the adapter is moved into position on a block 23, these nails engage the opposed side surfaces of brace sections 2| and 22 to positively prevent horizontal displacement of the adapter relative to the brace assembly, and to do so without the necessity for more direct attachment of the adapter to the assembly.

After'two adapters have been superimposed on the blocks 23 of one of the brace assemblies H, the assembly may be used in the same manner as when no adapter is employed, the increased transverse dimension of the assembly serving to increase the spacing of the side boxes from the adjacent car walls. s

I claim:

1. A car load comprising a plurality of load units contained within a car, a unit brace assembly comprising an elongated brace member disposed vertically at the side of said load and in engagement with said units, said assembly including a pair of vertically spaced blocks connected to said member and engaging an adjacentcar wall.

2. A boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinally within a car, an elongated brace member disposed vertically at the side of said load and received between the boxes in a pair of adjacent side stacks of adjacent transverse rows to maintain said stacks in predetermined spaced relation, and a pair of vertically spaced blocks carried by said member and positioned between it and the adjacent car wallto space the member therefrom. I

3. A boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinally within: a car, an elongated brace disposed vertically at the side of said load and engaging the outer surfaces of vertically successive boxes in a side stack to maintain all of such successive boxes in spaced relation to the adjacent car wall, and a pair of vertically spaced blocks carried by the brace and engaging said car wall.

4. A boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinally within a car, a pair of elongated brace sections disposed vertically at the side of said load, oneof said sections being received between the boxes in a pair of adjacent side stacks to maintain said stacks in predetermined spaced relation, the other of said sections engaging the outer surfaces of theboxes in one of said side stacks to maintain said boxes in predetermined spaced relation to the adjacent car wall, and a plurality of blocks extending between and interconnecting said sections at locations spaced longitudinally therealong.

5. A boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinally within'a car, a brace body disposed vertically at the side of said load and engaging the boxes in a side stack, and means interposed between said body and the adjacent car wall to space the body therefrom, said body presenting an inwardly facing surface disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the car for guiding the side boxes into loaded position.

6. A boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinally within a car, a brace body disposed vertically at the side of said load and engaging the boxes in a side stack, and a pair of vertically spaced blocks interposed between said body and the adjacent car wall to space the body therefrom, each of said blocks presenting a shoulder engaging one of said boxes to maintain said box in predetermined spaced relation to said wall.

'7. A boxed produce comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinally within a car, a brace body disposed vertically at the side of said load and engaging the outer surfaces of boxes in a side stack to maintain said boxes in spaced relation to the adjacent car wall, a pair of vertically spaced blocks connected to said-body and engaging said carv wall, and means carried by said blocks a ing a greater dimension longitudinally of the:

load 1 than its dimension transversely thereof between theload and car wall. i

'9. For use in a boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinally within a car, a unitary brace assembly comprising an elongated first section to be disposed vertically at the side of said load and engaging the outer surfaces of vertically successive boxes in aside stack to maintain said boxes in spaced relation to the car wall, a second elongated section receivable between adjacent box stacks to space them apart longitudinally of the load and a plurality of spacer blocks interconnecting said sections at longitudinally spaced locations and adapted to space one of the sections from the car wall.

10. For use in a boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinally within a car, a unitary brace assembly comprising an elongated first section to be disposed vertically at the side of said load and engaging the outer surfaces of vertically successive boxes in a side stack to maintain said boxes in spaced relation to the car wall, a second elongated section spaced from the-.first section andreceivable between adjacent box stacks to space them apart longitudinally of the load, and spacer blocks secured to said sections at longitudinally spaced locations and adapted to engage the car wall. v

. i 11. For use in a boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinallywithin a car, a unitary brace assembly comprising an elongated-first section tobe disposed vertically at the side of said load and engaging the outer surfacesof vertically successive boxes in a side stack to maintain said boxes in spaced relation to the car wall, a second elongated section receivable between adjacent box stacks to space them apart longitudinally of the load, and a pair of trapezoidal-shaped blocks carried by said sections with the. first section engaging inner angular surfaces of the blocks and. the second section engaging the short bases of the blocks, the long bases of the blocks being engageable against the car wall.

12. For use in a boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinally within a car, a unitary brace assembly comprising an elongated first section to be disposed vertically at theside of said load and engaging the outer surfaces of vertically successive boxes in a side stack to maintain said boxes in spaced relation to the car wall, a second elongated section receivable between adjacent box stacks to space them apart longitudinally of the load, and a pair of trapezoidal-shaped blocks carried by said'sectio'ns with the first section engaging inner angularsurfaces of the blocks and the second section engaging the short bases of the blocks, the long bases of the blocks being engageable againstthe car wall, said short bases of the blocks extending beyond the second section at its opposite sides to engage the outer surfaces of adjacent boxes and maintain them spaced from the car wall.

13. For use in a boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinally within a car, a unitary brace assembly comprising an elongated first section to be disposed vertically at the side of said load and having an inner edge engageable with the outer surfaces of vertically successive boxes in a side stack to maintain said boxes in spaced relation to the car wall, a second elongated section receivable between adjacent box stacks to space them apart longitudinally of the load, and a pair of trapezoidal-shaped blocks carried by said sections with the first section engaging inner angular surfaces of the blocks and the second section engaging the short bases of the blocks, the long bases of the blocks being engageable against the car wall, said short bases of the blocks being alined with said inner box engaging edge of the first section and extending beyond the first section at its opposite sides to engage the adjacent box walls and assist the first section in maintaining the boxes spaced from the car wall.

I 14. For use in a boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinally within a car, a unitary brace assembly comprising an elongated first section to be disposed vertically at the side of said load and engaging the outer surfaces of vertically successive boxes in a side stack to maintain said boxes in spaced relation to the car wall, a second elongated section receivable between adjacent box stacks to space them apart, longitudinally of the load, and a pair of trapezoidal-shaped blocks carried by said sections with the first section engaging inner angular surfaces of the blocks and the second section engaging the short bases of the blocks, the long bases of the blocks being engageable against the car wall, a pair of adapters to be superimposed on said blocks in engagement with said sections, said adapters being, of trapezoidal configuration corresponding substantially to said blocks .but of greater extent transversely of the load than said blocks to extend outwardly therebeyond for engagement with the car wall, and a pair of nails extending from the short base and one of the angular faces of each trapezoidal adapter to engage a pair of opposed surfaces on said sections and position the adapter relative thereto.

15. For use in a boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinally within a car, a brace unitincluding an elongated body to be disposed vertically at the side of said load in engagementwith the boxes-in a side stack, and including a pair of vertically spaced blocks securedto said body and interposedbetween said body and the adjacent carwall,,a pair of adapters to be superimposed on said blocks inengagernent with said body, said adapters having greater extent transversely of the load than said blocks to extend outwardly therebeyond for engagement with the car wall, and interengageable means on said adapters andbrace unit for positioning the adapters relativeto the unit. 7 i

l, 16. A boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in paralleltrows extending transversely and longitudinally within a car, an elongated brace member disposed vertically at the sideof said load and received between the boxes in a pair of adjacent side stacks of adjacent transverse rows to maintain said stacks in predetermined spaced relation, means positioned inwardly of the load from said member and, en-

gaging and spacing apart said transverse rows, and a pair of vertically spaced blocks carried by said memberandopositioned between it and the adjacent car, wall to space the'member therefrom.

17. A boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinally within a car, and an elongated brace body disposed vertically at the side of said load and engaging the boxes in a side. stack, said body presenting an inwardly facing surface disposedangularly with respect to both the longitudinal and transverse axes of the car for guiding the side boxes into loaded position. l

18. In a boxed produce load comprising boxes arranged in stacked rows running longitudinally and transversely within a car, a unitary brace body engaging a sidewall of the car and engaging and positioning side boxes of the load, said brace body including a portion integral therewith having an inwardly facing wedge surface extending angularly with respect to said car wall and engageable during a loading operation with an outer box in the load to wedge it away from said wall.

19. For use in a boxed produce load comprising boxes arranged in stacked rows running longitudinally and transversely within a car. a unitary brace body'adapted to be positioned at a side of said load in engagement with a car wall and to engage and position side boxes of the load, said brace body having an outer wall engaging surface and a relatively angular inner wedge surface engageable during a loading operation with an outer box in the load to wedge it away fromsaid wall.-

20. For use in a boxed produce load comprising boxes arranged in stacked rows running longitudinally and transversely within a car, a brace body. adapted to be positioned at a side of said load and to engage-and position side boxes of the load, and an essentially trapezoidal block attached to saidibrace, body having an outer base surface engaging an adjacent car wall and having a pair of inwardly facing surfaces extending angularly with respect to said outer surface.

21. For use ina boxed produce load comprising individual stacks of boxes alined in parallel rows extending transversely and longitudinally within a car, an elongated spacer member adapted to extendyertically between and space apart opposed portions cfqboxes in adjacent side stacks ofthe loadyand a pair of blocksattached to said spacer member at vertically spaced locations and engageable with an adjacent wall, said blocks being essentially trapezoidal in horizontal section togpresent outer bases for engagement with said wall, inner short bases, and a pair of angular inwardly facing surfaces extending between said long and short bases, and means attaching said spacer member to said short bases of the blocks.

HAROLD C. PIERCE.

Number. Re, 22 ,256 

